Arson is blamed for a fire that caused $10,000 damage early Sunday to an abandoned house at 11905 N.E. 87th Ave.
Another suspicious fire happened earlier in May at an abandoned house and fire officials are asking the public to help find those who might be responsible.
Firefighter Jim Flaherty said the 87th Avenue fire started at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday. The house is on a lot overgrown with grass and trees across the street from St. John’s Catholic Church, he said.
It took 20 firefighters from the Vancouver Fire Department and Clark County Fire District 6 about 25 minutes to bring the fire under control. They arrived within six minutes to find smoke and flames, Flaherty said.
No one was injured.
The fire marshal ruled the blaze was arson caused.
Flaherty said the house is valued at about $83,000. The property owner is listed as Clark County.
On May 4, another abandoned house burned and youngsters were seen leaving the area, Northeast 105th Street and 94th Avenue, about the time of the blaze. Flaherty said.
He asked that anyone seeing strange cars or people around abandoned houses to call 911, particularly if they get a license plate number.
Anyone with information about the Sunday fire is asked to call the Clark County Fire Marshal at 360-397-2186, ext. 3321. Persons may remain anonymous.
Setting fires at abandoned houses “has our attention and should have everybody’s attention.” Flaherty said.
